GoFundMe scammer pleads guilty after seeking money for homeless vet
CAMDEN, NJ – Four years ago, a GoFundMe Campaign Wins Americans’ Hearts when a couple sought public donations after claiming a homeless veteran used his last $20 to buy them gas after their car ran out of fuel in Philadelphia.
Local and national media announced the campaign, which surpassed its initial goal of $10,000 to raise over $400,000 from 14,000 donors in less than a month.
But none of that is true – the story was made up by the couple, Katelyn McClure and Mark D’Amico, the federal prosecutor’s office said in a statement Monday.
“D’Amico and McClure conspired to create fake stories to get money from donors,” it said.
On Monday, D’Amico, 42, formerly of Florence, New Jersey, was the last of the three masterminds to plead guilty in connection with the scam, according to the United States Attorney’s Office in New Jersey.
Authorities allege D’Amico and his then-girlfriend, McClure, sought donations from the public after staging the story. Their “Paying It Forward” appeal claims the donation will help the good Samaritan, Johnny Babbitt Jr., to find a home and turn his life around.
Instead, the couple spent most of the cash on personal expenses over the next three months, “including substantial amounts of D’Amico’s gambling, as well as on vacations, BMW cars, clothes, bags and other personal items and expenses,” the federal prosecutor’s office said.
Bobbitt, who learned of the campaign after it began, received $25,000 in donations, the United States Attorney’s Office said.
USA TODAY Network:Two suspects involved in $400k GoFundMe scam pleaded guilty in federal court
Than:Homeless vet accused of participating in $400k GoFundMe scam arrested
The plan fell through when an attorney sued on behalf of Bobbitt in August 2018, claiming that the homeless man owed nearly $200,000 in GoFundMe donations.
D’Amico on Monday pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to commit electronic fraud. McClure pleaded guilty to the same in March, while Bobbitt admitted to conspiracy to launder money.
D’Amico, McClure and Bobbitt have pleaded guilty to other charges in state court. In December 2019, D’Amico pleaded guilty to one count of misusing trust assets.
McClure pleaded guilty in April 2019 to theft by deception in exchange for a recommended four-year prison sentence, according to the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office.
She and D’Amico are awaiting sentencing by the state.
Bobbitt pleaded guilty in March 2019 to conspiracy to commit theft. He was admitted to the drug court program, which provides on-site treatment for addiction.
All three are awaiting sentencing on federal charges.
Contribution: Celina Tebor, USA TODAY